Inside Business 2022 Women in Business: Marcia Conston, Tidewater Community College

Job title: President, Tidewater Community College.

At work: I have the privilege to serve as president at Tidewater Community College. I serve with an amazing leadership team, supported by dedicated faculty and staff that focus on student success at the college and enriching the vitality of Hampton Roads. In that effort, I collaborate with local businesses, organizations, workforce partners and higher education institutions to increase the success of economic growth and a skilled workforce in our region.

Volunteer activities: It is an honor to serve communities locally and abroad, from Hampton Roads to Haiti and Rwanda. I seek opportunities to empower children and marginalized individuals through education, removing barriers and supplying crucial resources to resilient communities.

Home and family: I live in the beautiful city of Suffolk with my husband. We are the proud parents of two adult children.

Motivating factor: I am motivated by seeing young people succeed and helping to facilitate that success in the classroom and beyond.

Advice for women in business: I encourage women in business to remain focused on their goals. Early in my career, I was inspired by a quote that revealed the importance of staying focused on the higher purpose and not succumbing to distraction. When I set my destination and stay focused on my higher purpose, trivial obstacles do not steer me away from achieving my goals.

The one thing I would change about Hampton Roads: I would encourage us all to find ways to keep young people rooted in our community. To successfully grow, Hampton Roads must keep young people with new ideas and fresh perspectives engaged in our thriving and diverse community.

Professional goal in five years: I want to position Tidewater Community College to be our region’s first choice for education, opportunity, partnership and innovation — deepening our impact with the great work we are doing to serve South Hampton Roads.

Downtime: I enjoy reading and distance running to relax and decompress.

What really gets under my skin: Tardiness.